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(No Mode-1.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. B. ALLEN.

PUZZLE.

No. 436,751. Patented Sept. 16, 1890.

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(No Model.) 2 sheets-sheet 2.

J.B.ALLEN. PUZZLE.

No 436,751. Patented Sept.16,1890.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OEEicE.

JAMES B. ALLEN, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

PUZZLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 436,751, datedSeptember 16, 1890.

Application filed .Tune 13, 1890. Serial No. 355,307. (No model.)

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J AMES B. ALLEN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Provi dence, in the county of Providence and State of RhodeIsland, have invented certain'new and useful Improvements in Puzzles;and I do hereby declare t-he following to be a full, clear, and exactdescription of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in theart to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being hadto the accompanying drawings, and to letters of reference markedthereon, which form a part of this specilication.

My present invention relates to puzzles in which loose balls or otherequivalent loose pieces are employed.

It has been common for a great many years to manufacture puzzle charms77to be worn on watch-chains, dac., provided with a glasscovered ortransparent face and having a roughened base, such articles being knownas roulette charms, dice charms, dac., according to the character of theballs or loose pieces contained therein.

My improved puzzle possesses some of the characteristics just referredto; but it differs from all others of this class, so far as I am aware,in that I employ one or more hollow pieces or balls provided withapertures or openings and one or more smaller pieces or balls adapted topass through said openings into the interior of the hollow pieces uponsufficiently turning or shaking the casing containing them, all as willbe more fully hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying sheet of drawings, illustrating my improved puzzle,Figure 1 is a front elevation of a charm or locket embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the puzzle arranged in arectangular box or casing provided with a glass cover or face. Fig. 3 isa transverse sectional View taken on line oc of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 shows thebox provided with two apertured hollow pieces or balls and a smallerwhole ball, the top or cover being omitted. Fig. 5 is an enlargedsectional viewtaken through the center of the hollow ball, showing thewhole or solid ball resting therein. Fig. 6 is a similar sectional viewshowing the arrangement of the three balls represented in Fig. et whenproperly combined to produce the puzzle. Figs. 7 and 8 are perspectiveviews of hollow apertured pieces adapted to be employed in lieu of thehollow spherical pieces, and Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing thehollow member provided with two or more openings.

In the drawings, A indicates my improved puzzle as a whole. The frame orcasing is designated by d, and the top or cover by g. The frame may bemade of metall-as, for eX- ample', as shown in Fig. 1, wherein ithas around form and is adapted to be mounted on a chain and worn as a charm.The metal employed may be gold, silver, or plated stock and also madevery ornamental and otherwise attractive, if desired. When used as acharm, it is preferably pivoted at p to a bail or ring fr', providedwith an eye r, by which the charm can be attached to a chain. For largesizes I prefer to make the frame portion d of cardboard, wood, &c., theform of the case or frame in such instance being square, although it maybe round or anyother suitable shape. The depth or thickness of the boxinternally exceeds the major diameter of the largest piece or ball used.The top of the box I preferably cover with transparent material g, asglass, although it may be dispensed with. An advantage resulting fromthe use of a glass cover is that it prevents the loose pieces fromdropping out and at the' same time renders' the moving parts visible atall times.

The essential part of my invention consists in providing the interior ofthe box d with one or more hollow pieces a, having an opening, as c,formed in one or more of its sides, and one or more whole or solidpieces b, adapted to pass through the said openings c into the interiorof the larger pieces a; or, as shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 9, the parts amay have any suitable form, although I prefer the spherical shape, thesame being made of thin metal.

In Figs. 7 and 8 I have represented hollow cubes provided with openingsc, which may be employed in lieu of pieces or members having a.spherical form. The openings c are -made sufficiently above the centerof the spheres in order to prevent the smaller balls b from rolling outtoo readily. This latter piece b may be solid and made of metal or othersuitable material, as wood, hard rubber, clay, 85e. These I makespherical, because they roll about more easily, thus making it moredifficult to successfully operate the puzzle. Obviously the diameter ofthe pieces b must be less than that of the opening c.

In Figs. 4 and 6 I have represented two apertured pieces cL-a large oneand a smaller one, the latter being adapted to pass into the other,while a still smaller or solid ball b is employed, which is adapted topass into the smaller hollow ball a.

In Figs. 7 and 9 the hollow pieces ce are provided with two or moreopenings c, adapted to receive the smaller pieces b.

In operating my improved puzzle A the lskill or puzzle consists in soturning or vibrating it from side to side that the smaller ball or ballswill pass through the openings c and into the interior of the largersphere or piece a, substantially as represented in Figs. 5, 6, and 9.

vI would state that the form and arrangement of the puzzle may be variedfrom that shown without departing from the spirit ot the invention, theessentially-novel feature of which is the employment of a freely-movingapertured hollow member'or piece and a Smaller freely-moving pieceadapted to enter therein.

l claim as my inventionl. A puzzle consisting of a box or oaseoontaining one or more freely-moving apertured hollow pieces a and oneor more smaller 35 pieces b, adapted to pass into said hollow pieces.

2. The puzzle A, substantially as hereinbefore described, consisting ofthe frame or case cl, having a transparent top or cover portion, 4o

member adapted to pass into the interior of 5o said hollow memberthrough its apertured side, the movable members being inelosed withinthe said box or ease, substantially as hereinbefore set forth.

In testimony whereof I have affixed my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

J AMES B. ALLEN.

Witnesses:

CHARLES I-IANNIGAN, GEO. H. REMINGTON.

